Laparoscopy
What is Laparoscopy?
Laparoscopic surgery is the process of visualizing the organs in the abdomen and performing surgery by inserting a thin instrument with a camera at the end through the belly button into the abdomen. In laparoscopic surgery, 0.5 or 1 cm wide instruments are placed in different parts of the abdomen and the surgery is performed with these instruments.
Where is laparoscopic surgery applied?
Laparoscopic surgery can be performed in all intra-abdominal operations. For example, it can be easily applied in removal of appendicitis and gallbladder, removal of tumors in the abdomen, diseases related to the stomach and intestines, obesity surgery, treatment of hernias in the abdomen or inguinal region, partial or complete removal of organs such as liver and colon.
How is laparoscopic surgery performed? Before the procedure, patients are anesthetized with general anesthesia. In the next step, the abdominal cavity is inflated with CO2 (carbon dioxide) gas with a needle inserted through the patient’s navel. In addition, the intra-abdominal organs are better seen. The necessary working environment is created in the operation area.
Then, thanks to the camera placed in the abdomen, the abdomen is illuminated. This camera casts all the images inside the snow to the screen. Thus, the disease and existing problems can be viewed directly and comfortably. During the operation, laparoscopic surgery is performed by opening holes in different parts of the abdomen and inserting auxiliary instruments.
Laparoscopic surgery is also called bloodless and bladeless surgery. With the developing technology in recent years, laparoscopy devices have been highly developed, and all devices as light source and imaging system are brought to minimum dimensions and placed in a single pipe. This procedure, which was previously used for diagnostic purposes, has also been evaluated surgically in recent years. Among the known procedures, laparoscopic surgery technique has been developed in gallbladder operation and it has been beneficial to perform all operations in the abdomen laparoscopically.
Now, almost all organ surgeries can be performed laparoscopically. What are the benefits of laparoscopic surgery? After laparoscopic surgery, patients feel less pain and begin to move more quickly. Getting back to work or school is faster.
Laparoscopic surgery, which is more advantageous in terms of surgical site scarring, can also prevent surgical site hernias. It is best for patients to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of performing this surgery laparoscopically with their surgeon before the operation.
What are the complications of laparoscopic surgery?
Surgeons performing laparoscopic surgery should know all complications and complication management related to this method. In rare cases, some damage may occur to other organs around the operated organ while working with laparoscopic surgical instruments placed in the abdominal cavity. Very rarely major and minor vascular injuries, gastrointestinal injuries, bladder injuries may occur. One of the other complications is the development of hernia; People with hernia, diabetes, and obese may be at higher risk.
However, this complication is lower than open surgery. Surgeons who perform laparoscopic surgery know how to do this procedure correctly, crisis management and take precautions accordingly.
What should be the care after laparoscopic surgery?
One of the issues that patients wonder about is what to do after laparoscopic surgery. The effect of general anesthesia wears off 3-4 hours after surgery. Sometimes some of this gas may remain in the abdomen. Because of this gas, the patient may feel pain in his shoulders when he first stands up. Patients use painkillers for shoulder and surgical site pain.
Hidden sutures are used in laparoscopic surgery and these sutures dissolve on their own. Therefore, the patient does not need to do anything for wound care. If the stitches start to itch, this is an indication of healing. There may be bruising at the incision sites and this will go away on its own. In 1-2 months, the incision sites may become unnoticeable.
If bleeding or discharge occurs at the incision sites, a doctor should be consulted. Liquid foods are taken for the first 6 hours after the surgery. If nausea or vomiting does not occur, solid foods can be passed. If there is a swelling in the abdomen or nausea-vomiting, the doctor should be informed. You can take a shower within 48 hours after the operation. However, pouches should not be made in the bathroom, and surgical points should not be tampered with.
It is sufficient for the water and soap to flow from head to toe in the shower. If bloating, inability to pass gas or stool, and urinary incontinence occur after the surgery, the doctor should be informed again.
How should nutrition be after laparoscopic surgery?
Depending on the type of surgery, fluid can be taken orally into the body within an average of 6 hours. If nausea or vomiting does not occur, a transition to solid foods may occur. However, in bariatric surgery and different surgeries, the diet should be clearly determined by the doctor and dietitian.
